Russia doesn't exclude 2nd NKorea nuke test

Moscow, Oct 17: Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said today he did not rule out that North Korea could carry out a second nuclear test and warned that Moscow's reaction would be negative.

Pyongyang carried out its first nuclear test in defiance of international opinion on October nine.

US television networks reported yesterday that spy satellites had detected activity near the site of the test which could signal preparations for another blast.

Asked if North Korea could conduct a new nuclear test, Ivanov told reporters: ''The possibility of another nuclear explosion is not ruled out.

''Russia's reaction in that case would be exactly the same as it was to the first nuclear explosion -- that is, negative.'' Russia, the United States, China, South Korea and Japan have been holding talks with Pyongyang to persuade it to abandon its nuclear weapons programme.

''If a second explosion was really carried out, then the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would immediately learn about it and inform the public,'' Ivanov said.

Russia, which has a 19-km land border with North Korea, was the first country to provide independent confirmation of Pyongyang's first nuclear test and to estimate its size.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday she hoped North Korea would not conduct a second test, warning that this would be viewed as a provocative act and would further isolate the reclusive state.

Last Saturday, the United Nations Security Council adopted sanctions over the first test. They provide for nations to stop cargo going to and from North Korea to check for weapons of mass destruction, and block trade with Pyongyang in dangerous weapons, heavy conventional weapons and luxury goods.

North Korea has denounced the sanctions, likening them to a declaration of war. State media reported on Tuesday that Pyongyang would strike those who tried to topple its leaders.

Reuters

Related Stories